National Adolescent Advocacy & Media Consultant

Job Posting Organization:
UNICEF, established in 1946, operates in over 190 countries and territories with a mission to save children's lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential. The organization is committed to promoting the rights of every child and offers diverse opportunities for professional and personal development. UNICEF is known for its inclusive culture and attractive compensation and benefits package, aiming to build careers while serving children and communities globally.

Job Overview:
The National Adolescent Advocacy & Media Consultant position at UNICEF Lao PDR focuses on strengthening advocacy, communication, and storytelling related to adolescent and maternal health, climate issues, and youth engagement. The consultant will work under UNICEF's flagship initiatives, including the UN Joint Programme on Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn and Child Health (RMNCH) and Project Sinxay. The role involves developing and implementing communication strategies that highlight the contributions of adolescents and youth to improved health outcomes and climate resilience. The consultant will also promote donor visibility and support the design of a youth advocacy roadmap, ensuring that the voices of young people are heard and integrated into programming. This position is crucial for enhancing the impact of UNICEF's initiatives in Laos and requires a proactive approach to advocacy and communication.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant will be responsible for several key duties, including:

• Developing and implementing communication and media outputs that showcase the contributions of adolescents and youth to RMNCH outcomes, climate resilience, and WASH practices.
• Strengthening youth advocacy within Project Sinxay, focusing on issues such as gender equality, social norms, and child marriage.
• Promoting donor visibility for Luxembourg, Australia, and other partners through high-quality content and strategic media and digital promotion.
• Supporting the design and implementation of a youth advocacy roadmap and expansion plan for Phase 3 of Project Sinxay, including the Youth Champions model and related resource mobilization products.
• Documenting lessons learned and case studies to inform future programming and resource mobilization efforts.
• Collaborating with various stakeholders, including government entities, NGOs, and youth networks, to enhance advocacy efforts and ensure alignment with national priorities.

Required Qualifications:
To qualify for this position, candidates must meet the following minimum requirements:

• Education: A Bachelor’s Degree in Communications, International Relations, Public Relations, Social/Human Sciences, or a related field, or demonstrable experience of 6+ years in a related field.
• Work Experience: At least 2-3 years of demonstrable work experience at the national or international level in youth advocacy, communication, resource mobilization, and partnership development; with a minimum of 2 years’ experience working with Government/Mass Organizations and youth networks in Lao PDR.
• Skills: Strong teamwork abilities, resilience in stressful conditions, proven project implementation experience, excellent written and oral communication skills, and the ability to work independently and collaboratively in a multicultural environment.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess a Bachelor’s Degree in a relevant field such as Communications, International Relations, Public Relations, Social/Human Sciences, or have equivalent experience of at least 6 years in a related area. This educational background is essential to ensure that the consultant has the necessary knowledge and skills to effectively engage in advocacy and communication efforts.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 2-3 years of relevant work experience at either the national or international level, specifically in areas related to youth advocacy, communication, resource mobilization, and partnership development. Candidates should have at least 2 years of experience working with Government/Mass Organizations and youth networks in Lao PDR, which is crucial for understanding the local context and effectively engaging with stakeholders.

Languages:
Fluency in Lao and English is essential for this position. Candidates must demonstrate excellent drafting skills and oral presentation abilities in both languages. Proficiency in additional languages may be considered an asset but is not mandatory.

Additional Notes:
The assignment duration is 12 months, starting as soon as possible. The consultant will be based at the UNICEF office in Vientiane. UNICEF emphasizes its commitment to child safeguarding and requires additional vetting for roles that involve direct contact with children. The organization promotes diversity and inclusion in its workforce and encourages applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of their background. UNICEF offers a range of benefits, including paid parental leave and reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities. The recruitment process is designed to be accessible, and candidates requiring accommodations are encouraged to reach out during the application process.